The Christmas tree is perhaps the most important of all Christmas decorations.

There is no other season of the year I enjoy more than Christmas. As soon as the radios start to play Christmas music right after Thanksgiving, I am in the attic dragging out the boxes of Christmas decorations. I have more boxes than my husband would like for me to have. Within hours, I have those Christmas decorations scattered all over the house and I'm in my creative decorating mode. My husband hates it because he knows he'll most likely be recruited to do some tedious decorating. He usually tries to escape when he knows I'm rummaging around for the Christmas decorations. This last year, I handed him the box of lights and told him to decorate the outside bushes and porch. He looked a bit relieved that he was getting out of the house but not thrilled at the potential hours of work ahead of him. I remained inside and pulled out the most important Christmas decorations. Over the years, I've collected many Christmas decorations that belonged to grandparents or other relatives. I've purchased antique Christmas decorations as well. I like to think that the person who owned it gets some of their Christmas spirit passed on by displaying those once cherished Christmas decorations. My grandmother used to love Christmas. She would decorate her entire house, inside and outside, and had some of the most beautiful decorations. Once she passed away, I inherited them. I make sure that I display some of her favorites every year.

I put my Christmas decorations up right after Thanksgiving and display them until New Year's Day. The holiday season is such a wonderful time of the year and the decorations only enhance its happiness and joy in my family. We make a big point of decorating the tree as a family and putting the stockings out. While my children no longer believe in Santa, the magic of Christmas still exists. Their stockings are one of the first things they rummage for when the boxes of Christmas decorations are brought down from the attic. Once the holiday season has officially arrived, trips to the mall become more pleasant. While you may be battling longer lines and fighting for parking spots, the Christmas decorations and music that most malls play are just lovely. Many shoppers don't even bother to pay attention to the time and effort that people spent decorating, but I do. I try to not get upset when the stores are more crowded and people aren't being as polite as they normally are. I take the time to admire the Christmas decorations and enjoy the season. Next time you are standing in line with an arm full of gifts for others, wishing the person in front of you would hurry up, take some time to glance around. Admire the beauty of the season. Perhaps it will help to get you into the Christmas spirit.